Bent Knee is one of those bands where saying “The new album is more of the same” is high praise. Their music is so distinctive and enjoyable that a substantial change is not at all necessary. They can continue to develop their style in the same vein and not sound like they’re repeating themselves or resting on their laurels. The core band is intact: Courtney Swain (vocals, keyboards), Ben Levin (guitar), Jessica Kion (bass, vocals), Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth (drums), Chris Baum (violin), and Vince Welch (sound design). Again they are joined by many guests providing additional strings and trumpet. The ten tracks are unpredictable as always, sometimes veering unexpectedly from ambient floating to crashing rock to delicate chamber music and more. At other times, they apply the changes more gradually, building up from a bed of mysterious atmospheres; “Insides In” is like this, going nearly four minutes before anything loud appears, then working up to a powerful finish in the last couple of minutes. There are a couple of things I notice about Land Animal that present change or development from Say So. One is the increased prominence of certain kinds of rhythmic irregularity: unexpectedly changing from an eighth-note feel to some kind of triplets, executed precisely between the bass, drums, and guitar. This tactic is somewhat like what some of the more progressive electronic dance artists have done by means of programming or digital editing, here accomplished by skilled players. The other change is the prominence of sweeping melodies a little reminiscent of 70s orchestral soundtracks. Large intervals, chromaticism, and a legato delivery are coupled with thick orchestration (mostly violin, sometimes with cello as well) to add a touch of grandeur to several songs. Land Animal is another winner from one of the most creative bands active today.

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2019-04-24Help MoonJune Bring Great Music to Life –
Like many music lovers around the world, we’ve been thrilled and amazed to hear the recordings that have been released by MoonJune from sessions at La Casa Murada in Spain. Such label stalwarts as Mark Wingfield, Markus Reuter, Asaf Sirkis, Tony Levin, Dusan Jevtovic, Vasil Hadzimanov, and many more have gathered in various combinations at the studio to produce some of the most creative music in recent years. Now, label head Leonardo Pavkovic is offering a compilation, La Casa Murada - MoonJune Sessions, Volume One, as a fundraiser for upcoming sessions. »
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2019-04-10The Pineapple Thief to Tour North America –
November and December of 2019 will see The Pineapple Thief bringing their music to Canada, Mexico, and the US, and famed drummer Gavin Harrison will be on board. The band has been touring extensively in Europe, but North America will be new territory for them. »
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2019-03-25Scott Walker RIP –
Noel Scott Engel, better known as Scott Walker, was one of the most intriguing and enigmatic musical figures in the second half of the 20th Century. His strange career started with The Walker Brothers, an American pop group that featured no one named Walker and no brothers. After moving to England in 1965, they had a series of hit singles. Scott's solo work started with Scott in 1967. Starting in the 80s, his work took an increasingly avant-garde turn. »
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2019-03-20Freedom to Spend Unearths June Chikuma's Archives –
Jun (June) Chikuma is well known for her video game and anime soundtracks, but she also released an album of experimental electronic music back in 1986 called Divertimento where she indulged the kind of spontaneity that wouldn't work in a soundtrack. RVNG Int'l label Freedom to Spend is bringing this overlooked item to broader attention with a deluxe reissue. »
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2019-03-03Seaprog 2019 Lineup Almost Complete –
The Seaprog festival in Seattle is scheduled for June 7-9 this year, and they've announced their lineup of performers. The revitalized Trettioåriga Kriget will cap Friday night, perennial favorites Marbin are on Saturday, and District 97 will finish off the fest on Sunday night. In support, they've booked a stellar variety of artists from the Northwest and around the world, including EchoTest, Markus Reuter and Trey Gunn, and the live debut of the amazing Troot project. »
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Previously in Exposé...

Ars Nova Biogenesis Project - Biogenesis –
Biogenesis is the kind of overblown sci-fi epic that has both a built-in audience and legions of detractors. The fact that it comes from Japan’s Ars Nova, not exactly known for subtlety, does...
(2003) »
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